NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Today, local artist Kenneth Barnett launched an apparel line focused on addressing the current nationwide protests and offering a simple call-to-action ahead of this year’s critical elections: Vote.
Watching the state of events in these turbulent times, Kenneth has used his anger as motivation to create a powerful logo for his first t-shirt design. 10% of proceeds from the project will go to the voting rights organization founded by Stacey Abrams, Fair Fight.
“We are living in troubled times, and our nation needs a different direction of leadership and healing,” said artist Kenneth Barnett. “As I proudly watched my 24-year old daughter join the youth of the country as one voice to halt discrimination and injustice, I felt the need to speak through my art.”
Kenneth Barnett is no stranger to the art and fashion industry. After his studies, he worked as a freelance graphic artist, later leading him to combine his artistic talent and love for fashion with a position as a visual artist with GFox followed by one with Sage Allen, both under the May Company umbrella; he then continued to grow his visual talents when he moved south and joined the Belk team.
After meeting his wife in North Carolina, they decided to move to New Orleans to embark on a new career and start a small family, with the addition of their daughter, Camille. The combination of Kenneth’s visual talents and Helene’s hospitality industry experience led them to open one of the first black-owned Bed and Breakfast establishments in the country, Lagniappe Bed and Breakfast, which ceased operating in 2004. Kenneth continues to use his artistic talents in partnership with his wife, restoring historic homes in New Orleans.
The apparel can be found here: letfreedomvote.com
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Today, local artist Kenneth Barnett launched an apparel line focused on addressing the current nationwide protests and offering a simple call-to-action ahead of this year’s critical elections: Vote.